EAL Mentorship Program FAQs

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WHAT IS THE AUSTIN EAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM?

Austin Emerging Arts Leaders offers an annual mentorship program, pairing approximately five (5) emerging artists and arts administrators with leaders in their field or area of desired growth. The program caters to each unique mentorship and an Austin EAL board member serves as a guide to help facilitate and monitor the progress of the mentorship.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Eligibility:

Applicants for the Austin EAL Mentorship Program must...

Identify as an artist, arts administrator, or be working toward a career in the arts
Be at least 21 years old
Live within a 25-mile radius of Austin, or demonstrate clear activity and investment in the Austin arts community if located elsewhere
Be within the first seven years of their career in the arts*

*"Within the first seven years of your career in the arts" may be realized at different times in different individuals' lives, and may embody the creation of art, or its administration.

Provided the few requirements above are met, this application is open to all. We aim for our programs to ensure that all people are seen and represented - including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, differing ability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and socioeconomic status.

WHAT IS THE LENGTH AND STRUCTURE OF THE EAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM?

Between March and September 2024, selected EAL Mentees will be paired with an established mentor in their field. Mentees receive private and confidential guidance from their mentor, tailored to the mentee's creative and professional goals during the seven-month mentorship.

Beyond an initial group gathering and monthly meetings, the exact structure and approach will be determined by you and your mentor. A dedicated EAL Austin representative will check in periodically to constructively share ideas, concerns, and goals that can support the mentee during the course of the program. Mentees will identify a project or area of focus to guide their progress in the program. Each mentee will receive a $1,500 stipend in increments to support the growth of their project or continued professional develop

HOW ARE MENTEES SELECTED?

Mentees will be selected based on a thoughtful and considerate vetting process of submitted application responses. Criteria used to select mentees may be but are not limited to demonstrated readiness for the program and ability to express goals for professional and artistic growth. This application is open to all and Austin EAL aims to ensure that all people - including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, differing ability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion - are represented in the Austin arts community.

HOW ARE MENTORS SELECTED?

Mentors are selected after mentees to facilitate the best pairing possible. EAL Austin seeks out leaders in the Austin arts community who are best suited to the goals and aspirations of the mentee. Other considerations may be taken into account based on mentee preferences for the pairing, such as cultural background, identity, gender, and experience.

IF ACCEPTED INTO THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF ME?

If selected, all mentees will be asked to commit to fully participate in the program. This includes meeting with your mentor at least seven (7) times over the seven-month span of the program, maintaining communication with a designated Austin EAL board member, identifying a project or area of focus to guide your progress in the program, completing a monthly check-in form to share updates and/or request support, participating in a culmination event at the end of the program, and completing an exit survey/interview to provide feedback surrounding your experience in the program. You will also be encouraged to engage in occasional interactive events with other mentees, mentors, and/or the Austin EAL community at-large.